3 Under The Radar Banks To Keep An Eye On (HBAN, SNV, WFC)

TheStreet.com has an interesting

out today about three bank stocks that investors should be keeping an eye on as we head into earnings season. According to Peter Kovalski, the key issue for the banking sector as a whole will be bringing down problem assets. He said, "The focus will be asset quality: that's what's going to drive the stock." He expects margins to be weak, especially in banks' investment banking and asset management divisions. Here is a look at the three stocks that TheStreet.com is keeping an eye on. Huntington Bancshares

This bank has a total of $51.6 billion in assets. HBAN will be reporting on October 21st. Last quarter, the bank beat consensus EPS estimates by $0.03. TheStreet.com rates this stock Hold. According to analysts, Huntington's management has made "a calculated bet" to give up short-term profits in the hope of gaining market share over the longer term with a more customer-friendly approach. Synovus Financial

Synovus has total assets of $32.8 billion. TheStreet rates this stock a Sell and analysts don't expect the company to be profitable until the second half of 2011. Synovus has a sizable distressed loan portfolio as a result of loans it made to the now-bankrupt Sea Island resort in coastal Georgia. Sea Island is expected to be sold to Oaktree Capital Management and Avenue Capital in November. Wells Fargo

WFC has total assets of $1.2 trillion. TheStreet rates the stock a Hold. The company beat consensus estimates last quarter by $0.07. Wells Fargo has a huge mortgage portfolio that remains an overhang on the shares. Warren Buffett is a large investor in WFC. Year-to-date, the stock has fallen 3.67% and currently trades at $25.97.